Read Arnold Schwarzenegger's Reddit response to life-long 'Terminator' fan and his ailing father

Despite playing a cold-hearted killing machine, Arnold Schwarzenegger proved that he's a family man deep down when he sent a heartwarming message to a father and son fans.

A Reddit user wrote a long message on his 30th birthday Wednesday, saying that he was watching "Terminator Genisys" with his father, who first got him hooked on the franchise with "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" in 1991.

"That experience really sparked a love for film, the kind of passion that my dad had for them. From then on we saw a bunch of movies together along the years, including all the 'Terminator' movies until now, it was our franchise," he wrote.

"My dad loved Arnold's catchphrase 'I'll be back' and he would just rewind it every time. I have only my dad to thank for my love for movies, it's one of those things we always shared together."

Tragically, in January his father — who had long suffered from mild dementia and schizophrenia — took a severe downward turn. As the Reddit user wrote, "he was hearing voices and acting very unusual, he wasn't himself anymore ... cursing and showing sign of aggression. He didn't want to watch movies anymore and it really broke my heart seeing him this way. He was there but it felt like he just doesn't want to partake in anything anymore."

WATCH: 'Terminator Genisys' Trailer

But miraculously watching "Terminator Genisys" brought him back to life a little. "I was actually surprised to see my dad enjoying it, not because it was this amazing film we never seen before but because for MONTHS he hasn't smile, he used to be a very happy man and always had a big smile on his face. I know it may sound dumb but it felt like a miracle!

The heartwrenching message caught the attention of over 200 commentators, none of them more touched than Schwarzenegger himself, who quickly responded.

"Wow. I'm in Korea on a whirlwind tour but you stopped me in my tracks. This is so touching. Thank you for sharing. I'd like to say 'this is why I do this' but you should know it was you who made your father smile," the action star wrote. "It was your presence and caring. Happy birthday, you've got a lot of wisdom for 30 years."

The actor and former California governer also attached a handwritten note to the father, telling him he was happy to make him smile again — and praising what a wonderful son he had raised.

Reddit

The writer of the original Reditt was naturally blown away by the reaction from Schwarzenegger.

"I am completely overwhelmed! So many emotions going through right now! Thank you so much/u/GovSchwarzenegger I really don't know what to say?!" he said.

"Made me cried so much (of pure joy), we needed this. seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

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Read Arnold Schwarzenegger's Reddit response to life-long 'Terminator' fan and his ailing father

Then-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger takes his oath of office in 2007 as then-wife Maria Shriver looks on in Sacramento.

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, talks with actor Ed Begley, Jr, and Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources board, before his remarks at a symposium on California's landmark 2006 global warming law in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. Making a rare political appearance, Schwarzenegger spoke at the Global Climate Negotiations: Lessons From California conference, put on by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, then will unveil his official governor's portrait at the Capitol.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves the stage after speaking at a symposium on California's landmark 2006 global warming law in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. Making a rare political appearance, Schwarzenegger spoke at the Global Climate Negotiations: Lessons From California conference, put on by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, then will unveil his official governor's portrait at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger walks to the stage to speak before crowded auditorium at a symposium on California's landmark 2006 global warming law in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. Making a rare political appearance, Schwarzenegger spoke at the Global Climate Negotiations: Lessons From California conference, put on by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, then will unveil his official governor's portrait at the Capitol.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses global warming while speaking at a symposium on California's landmark 2006 global warming law in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. Making a rare political appearance, Schwarzenegger spoke at the Global Climate Negotiations: Lessons From California conference, put on by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, then will unveil his official governor's portrait at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Matthew Dowd, former pollster and strategist for President George W. Bush, reportedly carried on an affair with Maria Shriver while Arnold Schwarzenegger was the Governor of California. He is pictured here on the floor of the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York.

From second left, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver and Charest's son Antoine Charest pose for photos before they meet at the second Governors' Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Man at left is unidentified.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is pictured as one of the pallbearers for the casket of Maria Shriver's father, R. Sargent Shriver. The group carried his remains into Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church for a funeral Mass in Potomac, Md., just outside Washington, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Shriver, the man responsible for launching the Peace Corps after marrying into the Kennedy family, died at the age of 95 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for years. His son, Anthony Shriver, is at far right. His daughter, Maria Shriver, is at left, joined by her husband, actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, second from right.

Dowd seated between veteran news anchor Diane Sawyer (left) and political strategist Donna Brazile (right) while broadcasting from ABC News' 2012 election set in Times Square

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2011 file photo, Maria Shriver, right, and her husband, actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, stand amid family members and other mourners as they leave the funeral Mass for her father, R. Sargent Shriver, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic church in Potomac, Md., just outside Washington. Schwarzenegger says his lifelong penchant for secrecy and ability to put his emotions "on deep freeze" led him to keep many secrets from his wife Maria Shriver, eventually causing the dissolution of their marriage when he was forced to admit he fathered a child with the family's housekeeper years earlier. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2009 file photo, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver pose for photos before they meet at the second Governors' Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles. The former California governor originally indicated in a divorce filing that he does not want to pay Shriver spousal support. Schwarzenegger filed an amended response in his divorce Monday, July 25, 2011 indicating that he is now willing to pay Shriver spousal support and for her divorce lawyer. Shriver filed divorce papers July 1, to end their marriage of 25 years. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, and First Lady Maria Shriver pose together after they were given the "Family Visionary Award" at the Habitat for Humanity "Building a Better Los Angeles" gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, and his wife Maria Shriver, right, arrive at the White House to attend a dinner hosted by President Obama, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 in Washington. The National Governors Association is holding its winter meeting in Washington this weekend. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kisses his wife Maria Shriver as they celebrates during the victory party in Beverly Hills, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006. Schwarzenegger coasted to a second term Tuesday, after a campaign in which he promised to rebuild California, and wound up rebuilding himself.(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Liana Liberato, right, a cast member in "If I Stay," poses with boyfriend Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, at the premiere of the film at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and son Patrick, left, arrive for the European Premiere of The Last Stand at a central London cinema in Leicester Square, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his daughter Katherine attend Trust Your Senses At DVF for Fashion's Night Out on September 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for DVF)

NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 16: (LtoR) California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with son Patrick Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver and Christopher Schwarzenegger watch during NBA All-Star Saturday Night part of 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend at the New Orleans Arena on February 16, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 16: Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver are on hand at the Plaza Hotel where he was honored with a Global Youth Peace & Tolerance Award. (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

368141 12: ***ESCLUSIVE*** Arnold Schwarzenegger plays in the hotel swimming pool with one of his daughters during an Easter vacation April 21, 2000 in Maui, Hawaii. (Photo by Chris Morton/Online USA)

BEIJING - MAY 19: (NO U.S. TABLOID SALES) Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, television journalist Maria Shriver, visit the Forbidden City during a Special Olympics Event May 19, 2000 in Beijing, China. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger & Family during Hollywood Celebrity Families turn out to Celebrate Old Navy and P.S. Arts Partnership at Old Navy Store in Santa Monica, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)

399207 01: Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his son, Patrick, pose in front of an F-22 Raptor with airmen in this undated recent photo at Edwards Air Force Base in California. In a recent poll, military members voted Schwarzenegger the star they would most like to meet. (Photo by Stacee McCausland/USAF/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: California Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger walks with his wife Maria Shriver and their four children to his inaugural ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento on Novemeber 17, 2003 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson-Pool/Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - MAY 01: Eunice Shriver with daughter Maria, Arnold Schwarzenegger and some of her grandchildren attending the National Center on Poverty Law's Tribute to Sargent Shriver at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA 05/01/03 (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES: Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger(2nd from R) and his wife Maria Shriver(R) arrive at the premiere of the Steven Spielberg movie 'Amistad' with family members Bobby Shriver(L), Timothy Shriver(2nd from L) and his wife(C) 08 December in Beverly Hills. The film about a slave ship revolt stars Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. AFP PHOTO Vince BUCCI/mn (Photo credit should read Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images)

"Money doesn't make you happy. I now have $50 million but I was just as happy when I had $48 million."

"My body is like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I don't think about it, I just have it."

"The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent."

"Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer."

"I have to give the audiences what they enjoy seeing while I try to bring in a little something new"

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."

"You know, nothing is more important than education, because nowhere are our stakes higher; our future depends on the quality of education of our children today."

"People should make up their own mind about what they think of me."

"Failure is not an option. Everyone has to succeed."

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses global warming while speaking at a symposium on California's landmark 2006 global warming law in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. Making a rare political appearance, Schwarzenegger spoke at the Global Climate Negotiations: Lessons From California conference, put on by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, then will unveil his official governor's portrait at the Capitol.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)